Hong Kong scraps vaccine pass, COVID-19 tests for travellers

12/28/2022

Hong Kong, Dec. 28: International travellers to Hong Kong will no longer need to do a mandatory PCR COVID-19 test on arrival, local broadcaster TVB said on Wednesday citing sources, adding that the city’s vaccine pass required to enter most venues would also be scrapped.

Hong Kong leader John Lee is due to hold a media briefing at 3.30pm (0730 GMT) to give further details.

The expected announcement comes after Lee said on Saturday that Hong Kong would reopen its borders with mainland China by mid-January.

Hong Kong has for nearly three years largely followed China’s lead in tackling the novel coronavirus.

In an abrupt change of policy, China this month began dismantling the world’s strictest COVID regime of lockdowns and extensive testing. The country will stop requiring inbound travellers to go into quarantine from Jan. 8, authorities said this week.

Restrictions on travel between Hong Kong and the mainland were imposed in early 2020. The reopening was postponed several times due to outbreaks in Hong Kong or the mainland. Hong Kong and China have lagged the rest of the world in easing stringent COVID rules.

International passengers arriving in Hong Kong since mid-month are no longer subject to COVID-related movement controls or barred from certain venues.

And while Hong Kong has effectively dismantled many of its stringent COVID rules in recent months, masks are still compulsory in public places unless exercising, while international arrivals are required to do a PCR COVID-19 test on arrival and once again two days later. A mandatory vaccine pass has also been in place since February.

Lee has said the government was taking a gradual approach to relaxing restrictions to minimise public health risks.-Agencies

Related News

Joe Biden praises Olympians for inspiring Americans with courage

Wilmington, Aug. 8: US President Joe Biden praised US Olympians for navigating the difficulties of a coronavirus-tarnished games with “moral courage” that made Americans’ “hearts swell” with pride. Biden, along with first lady Jill Biden, spoke with Team USA in a Zoom call Saturday evening from their home near Wilmington,…

Another northern Afghan province falls to Taliban: Officials

Kabul, Aug. 9: Provincial Afghan lawmakers say the Taliban have taken control of another provincial capital, the fourth to fall into insurgent hands in less than a week, in a punishing blow to government forces. The Taliban forces overran Taleqan, the capital of the northern Takhar province on Sunday, capturing…

Maritime routes are being misused for piracy and terrorism, says Indian PM

New Delhi, Aug. 9: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is chairing a UN Security Council open debate on “Enhancing Maritime Security — A Case for International Cooperation” on Monday evening via video conferencing. The focus of the debate was to focus on ways to effectively counter maritime crime and insecurity,…

Indian PM for joint efforts to fight maritime threats

New Delhi, Aug. 10 : In an oblique reference to China, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday called for maritime disputes to be resolved peacefully and in accordance with international law. Speaking at one of the best-attended UN Security Council debates (UNSC) where other members, barring China, fielded Presidents,…

Taliban tighten control of Afghan north as UN fears erasure of human rights

Kabul, Aug. 10: Taliban fighters tightened their grip on captured territory in Afghanistan on Tuesday as civilians hid in their homes and a pro-government commander vowed to fight to the death to defend Mazar-i-Sharif, the biggest city in the north. President Ashraf Ghani called on regional strongmen to support his…

As Taliban gain ground, Afghanistan army chief ‘replaced’

Kabul, Aug. 12: As the Taliban seized three more provincial capitals in Afghanistan and a local army headquarters, a Defence Ministry official and local media reports said President Ashraf Ghani had replaced the country’s army chief. Sources said Gen Hibatullah Alizai had replaced Gen Wali Ahmadzai as the Afghan army…

Video

Find Us on Facebook

From Social

Kathmandu, Nov. 24: The joint training exercise "SURYA KIRAN-XVII" of Nepali Army and Indian Army is starting from 24 November 2023 in Pithoragarh, India. The Nepalese army team that will participate in the exercise, which will be attended by the…

Nepal-India Joint Military Training Excerise Surya Kiran Begin Today    

New Delhi, May 5: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the guest of honour for this year’s Bastille Day Parade in Paris scheduled to take place on July 14.  In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of…

Indian PM Modi to attend Bastille Day Parade in Paris as guest of honour on July 14